Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The American Flag disrespectful to Americans?

There are so many things wrong with the Live Oak Highschool incident it's hard to know where to begin.

The key to my frustration is this mentality:"I think they should apologize cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day," Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. "We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

If you're an American, how can the American flag ever be considered disrespectful?

Should all of the Americans that are now living in England get royally offended if the British dare to wave their flag on the Fourth of July?

It's hard to empathise with a group that wants our healthcare and educational system free of charge but then finds the flag of the country that is footing the bill 'disrespectful'.

I would agree, but I have a hard time believing that the people wearing the flag "just happened to be" doing it... seems more likely they were intentionally trying to cause a stir. That, and NOT the flag, was probably the issue. Let's not get too excited over what's really not the issue.

Why would wearing an American flag, in America ever cause a stir amongst Americans?

The issue is the mentality behind the statement I posted. This mentality is what keeps Americans from being sympathetic to the individuals who are using our healthcare and educational systems with out paying for them.

If this was about causing a stir- the boys would have worn boarder patrol t-shirts on cinco de mayo.

I can't believe we're even at a place where we think wearing the American flag on a certain day of the year in the US would be offensive.

I get you on this. I agree, the flag should NOT be offensive. If indeed as you are suggesting, the shirt-wearers in this case were just showing their patriotism and people were offended, then I totally agree. At the same time, we must also look into the "process" vs. the "content" of this. The content being the flag shirts, and the process being how it happened. It reminds me of some Christians who beat you over the head with the bible in the name of "love." They declare, "How can the gospel EVER be offensive or cause a stir? This is about truth and love!" Their ultimate message, which may indeed be "love others, have faith" etc. becomes corrupted by their methods/process. Wearing the flag on any day should not be offensive. Brashly trying to cause ill-will, or just plain being a jerk about it IS offensive. If the people were not doing the latter, I have no problem with them.